The 20 most beautiful places to rent a boat in Central Florida

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Place to rent: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
352-592-5656, 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 45 minutes
Watch out for the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park who have been delighting visitors since 1947, before hopping on a kayak or paddleboard. Rentals prices for paddleboards are $32.50, single kayaks are $32.50 and tandem kayaks are $37.50, rental are good for the whole day but watercraft must be returned by 4:30 p.m. or a $50 fine will be incurred.

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Rainbow Springs

Place to rent: Rainbow River Canoe & Kayak
352-489-7854, 12121 River View, Dunnellon
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Take a clear view into the wild, aquatic world inhabiting the crystal clear waters of the Rainbow River. Starting at the intersection of Lake Rousseau, the Rainbow River and the Withlacoochee River, a 2-3 hour trek will take you 4.5 miles North East to K.P. Hole Float, a county park known for boating, snorkeling and kayaking. Renting a single kayak for this trip costs $33 and a tandem kayak or canoe costs $44.

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Shingle Creek Regional Park

Place to rent: The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek
407-343-7740, 4266 W. Vine St., Kissimmee
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 45 minutes
Shingle Creek is generally considered to be the northernmost headwaters of the Everglades watershed, kayaking Shingle Creek is an excellent opportunity to get a first hand look at a vital element to Florida’s unique water systems. A single kayak is $13.00 per hour and a Tandem Kayak is $16.00 per hour. Canoes, which fit as many as four people, are $16.00 per hour and paddleboards are $18/$24 for one hour and $32/$40 for two hours.

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Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

Place to rent: Katie’s Landing Canoe and Kayak Rental
407-761-1310, 262 Wekiva Park Drive, Sanford
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 30 minutes
Enjoy a trip down one of the two rivers in Florida recognized by Congress as “Wild and Scenic.” Full day rental for single kayaks and canoes are $35, tandem kayaks are $40. Half day rental for single kayaks and canoes are $25, half day rentals for tandem kayaks are $30.

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Lake Louisa State Park

Place to rent: Lake Louisa State Park
352-394-3969, 7305 US Highway 27, Clermont
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 45 minutes
Lake Louisa is the largest in a chain of 13 lakes in Clermont. It’s designated as an Outstanding Florida Water Way by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a natural experience on the water without causing too much of a disturbance for the wildlife. For the first two hours, single kayaks are $20, double kayaks are $25, and canoes are $30. Add another $11 for every additional hour, and don’t forget to add tax, too.

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Rock Springs Run State Reserve

Place to rent: Kings Landing
407-886-0859, 5722 Baptist Camp Road
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 45 minutes
8.5 miles of unadulterated outdoor therapy, feel free to casually drift down Rock Springs Run. Enjoy the sights, which have been known to include, otters, bears, deers, and the occasional monkey. For the river run, renting single-kayaks and canoes costs $40 and tandem-kayaks costs $50.

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Lake Killarney

Place to rent: Paddleboard Orlando
407-960-7815, 115 N Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 15 minutes
Paddle upright and in style around Winter Park’s Lake Killarney on a Paddleboard, catch a glimpse of a swooping crane, a lazy alligator or a racing shell full of crew members from nearby Rollins College. Paddleboard rentals are available for $25 for one hour, $35 for two hours, $55 for four hours and $75 for 24 hours.

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Rose Bay

Place to rent: Rose Bay Water Sports at Hidden Treasure Tiki Bar & Grill
386-756-9565, 5993 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour
Take a trip around the bay or cruise through the canals that lead to the intercoastal and then the Atlantic, whatever you do keep an eye out for dolphins. To rent a single-kayak or a canoe costs $12 for a half-hour, $20 for an hour, then $10 for every subsequent hour. Tandem-kayaks cost $17 for a half-hour, $30 for an hour, then $10 for every subsequent hour and Stand up paddleboards cost $20 for a half-hour, $30 for an hour, then $15 for each subsequent hour.

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Twin Lakes Fish Camp | Lochloosa Lake

Place to rent: Twin Lakes Fish Camp
352-466-3194, 17105 S. County Road 325, Cross Creek
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 40 minutes
Located near Cross Creek, which connects Lake Lochloosa to Orange Lake, Twin Lakes Fish Camp supplies a serene area great for paddling. Fishing, frog gigging, and hunting are some of the other activities guests can enjoy out on the water. All-day (7 a.m.-5 p.m.) canoe rentals, along with Jon boats, are only $20. If you’re staying at one of the campsites or renting a cabin while you’re there, you can rent a canoe for free on a first come, first serve basis.

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Crystal River

Place to rent: Plantation on Crystal River
352-795-4211, 9301 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour and 45 minutes
Enjoy Crystal River by going on a slow voyage with the unique native inhabitants, Manatees migrate to the nearby Three Sisters Spring from mid-November until late March. Rates for single kayaks are $20 for two hours and $40 for four hours. Tandem kayak rental are $30 for two hours and $60 for four hours.

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Little Big Econ State Forest

Place to rent: Seminole Paddle Adventures
407-925-7896, County Road 419 at Econlockhatchee River Bridge, Oviedo
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 45 minutes
Designated as an outstanding Florida Water, the Little Big Econ River is as rich in biodiversity as it is in history. The Muskogee name for the river came from the multitude of Indigenous American mounds found along the waterway. The area has seen other human activity in the forms of turpentine distilleries, cattle ranches, farms, and a portion of the old Florida East Coast Railway. Now it’s available as a reprieve, for one to enjoy 8 miles of the majesty of Florida’s wildlife. Canoe rentals are available for $49 and Kayaks are available for $39, for the the four hours of the trip.

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Kings Bay

Place to rent: Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center
352-795-2255, 1422 SE US Highway 19, Crystal River
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Kings Bay forms the headwaters of the Crystal River, which flows for seven miles and meets at the Gulf of Mexico. Covering much of Citrus County, it’s the second-largest springs group in Florida and the largest winter refuge for manatees on the Florida Gulf Coast. The Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center rentals for single kayaks, double and triple kayaks and canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. Guests can rent for one to two hours all the way up to over four hours, with prices ranging from $25 to $65.

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Palm Coast Marina

Place to rent: Tropical Kayaks
386-445-0506, 200 Clubhouse Drive, Palm Coast
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 30 minutes
The Palm Coast Marina is a full-service marina between St. Augustine and Daytona. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, which runs from Virginia all the way to the Florida Keys, the marina is perfect whether you want to relax on a full-sized boat or in a single person kayak. Tropical Kayaks offers single kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals for up to two hours at a time for $20, and two-person kayak rentals for $40. They even have free stand-up paddleboard lessons, which take place in a private canal. But you’ll definitely need to call ahead to check for equipment availability and the store hours, as they are seasonal. If you’re making plans for July 4th, you should try to get out there as early as possible, as any rentals will be due by 3 p.m. and the store will close for the day at 5 p.m. due to expected storms.

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Alexander Springs Recreation Area | Ocala National Forest

Place to rent: Alexander Springs Recreation Area
352-669-3522, 49525 County Road 445, Altoona
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 15 minutes
The gently-sloped pool at Alexander Springs has clear blue water that reveals a sand bottom and the tiny fish that dart around just above it. Swimming is allowed in the springs, along with fishing, as long as you have a valid Florida Freshwater Fishing License. Canoe rentals are $16 for 2 hours, $24 for 4 hours, or $38 for the entire day. A $20 deposit is also required for the use of the canoes.

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Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area | Ocala National Forest

Place to rent: Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area
Phone, 5271 FL-19, Salt Springs
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 30 minutes
The clear, 72-degree water in the basin of Silver Glen Springs pours out into Lake George, the largest of the St. Johns River Chain of Lakes. Also an important archaeological site, Silver Glen is full of history and beautiful wildlife. Canoe rentals are $16 for 2 hours, $24 for 4 hours, or $38 for the entire day. A $20 deposit is also required up front.

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Blue Spring State Park

Place to rent: Blue Spring State Park
386-917-0724, 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 50 minutes
Though it’s best known for manatee viewing, the cool, clear waters of Blue Spring are great for swimming and paddling. Rentals are weather-permitting and available starting at 8:30 a.m. All equipment must be checked in by 4:30 p.m. Three-person canoes are available for $14 for one hour or $27 for up to four hours. Single kayaks are available for $17 for one hour or $30 for up to four hours. Two-person kayaks are also available for $30 for one hour or $42 for up to four hours. Renters must be 18 or older to use the equipment without a parent or guardian, and also have a working cell phone.

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Moorhead Park

Place to rent: Salt Springs Marina & Landing
352-685-2255, 25711 N.E. 134 Place, Salt Springs
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Moorhead Park is located on Lake Kerr, one of Florida’s sinkhole lakes formed over time by limescale erosion. While Florida’s lake basins are typically shallow, don’t be fooled--the water is actually over 20 feet deep in some places. Salt Springs Marina & Landing offers half-day stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals for $25 and $40 for the whole day, in addition to half-day canoe rentals for $15 and full-day for $25.

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Juniper Springs Recreation Area | Ocala National Forest

Place to rent: Juniper Springs Recreation Area
352-625-2808, 26701 E. Highway 40, Silver Springs
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour 20 minutes
If you canoe down the 7-mile stretch down Juniper Run, it’ll take you through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. You might see some cute otters, but you might want to watch a bit more closely for gators that might be lurking in the shallow water. For $35 plus tax, in addition to a $25 refundable deposit, you can rent a canoe for the day. Shuttle services to help with transporting the equipment back to the rental site are also included in the price.

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Manatee Cove Park

Place to rent: Calypso Kayaking
321-639-7350, 4905 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour
Manatee Cove Park features a small lagoon that serves as both a refuge for manatees and a nice launch site for canoes and kayaks. Single kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent at Calypso Kayaking for $10 for one hour, $22 for two hours, $29 for four hours, and $39 for the entire day. Double kayaks are also available for $15 for one hour, $28 for two, $35 for four, and $45 for the whole day. Don’t forget to call to make a reservation for your kayaks and paddleboards.

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Spruce Creek River

Place to rent: Cracker Creek
386-304-0778, 1795 Taylor Road, Port Orange
Estimated driving distance from Orlando: about 1 hour
With a cottage and cabin originally built in the early 1930s, Cracker Creek is an outdoor venue with quite a bit of history. Whether you’re planning a wedding, a field trip, or a simple group camping trip, the site offers numerous amenities for people of all ages. Guests can paddle on the natural blackwater Spruce Creek River. Canoes can be rented for one hour for $24, two hours for $36, three hours for $60, or $70 for the whole day. Single kayaks are available for $18 for one hour, $24 for two, $40 for three, or $50 for the whole day, and dual kayaks are $24 for one hour, $36 for two, $60 for three, or $70 for the whole day.

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